Why Trump wants federal control of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Why Trump wants federal control of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

US President Donald Trump is weighing ways for the federal government to assume control of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, a move that has raised legal questions and stirred debate over how the site should be managed. White House officials confirmed that discussions are at an early stage, but the plan could involve designating the location a national monument, an idea Trump floated on the campaign trail last year, the New York Times reported.

A national shrine under scrutiny

Opened in 2014, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum has welcomed 90 million visitors and generated nearly $69 million in revenue last year, mostly from admission fees. But it has also faced persistent criticism from victims’ families, who have questioned high ticket prices, executive salaries, and the handling of unidentified remains. Tickets currently cost $36 for general admission and up to $56 for guided tours, far more than federally supported institutions like the Smithsonian, which are free.

Pushback from leadership

Beth Hillman, the museum’s president and chief executive, dismissed the prospect of federal control. “At a time when the federal government is working to cut costs, assuming the full operating expenses for the site makes no sense,” she said. A museum spokesman added that no law currently allows unilateral takeover of the nonprofit entity. Critics argue that Trump’s move is more about extending political influence than addressing governance problems.

Trump’s allies and rivals

The proposal comes against the backdrop of Trump’s complicated ties to New York City. Though largely shunned by its political establishment, he has long been invested in the city’s symbols and institutions. His administration has floated offering Mayor Eric Adams a federal post to disrupt the local mayoral race, while his feud with Michael Bloomberg looms large. Bloomberg, who chairs the museum’s board of trustees and has donated $50 million, is its biggest benefactor. Meanwhile, Trump has pledged to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Rudy Giuliani, who was mayor during the attacks and remains closely aligned with him.

Financial strains and federal leverage

The museum’s heavy reliance on admissions revenue left it vulnerable during the pandemic, when closures led to a severe budget crisis and layoffs affecting 60 percent of staff. Its most recent filings show a $19 million deficit, though museum officials insist the figure reflects depreciation and that cash operations actually generated a surplus. Despite raising $750 million in private funds over two decades, the museum also depends on modest federal support, including about $4 million annually from the National Park Service.

Broader ambitions

Trump’s interest in the memorial is part of a wider push to expand federal influence over cultural institutions. His administration has also sought more control over the Smithsonian, which relies heavily on government funding but operates independently as a federal trust. By designating the 9/11 site a national monument, the White House could theoretically shift oversight, though legal experts say the path is unclear and likely to face resistance.

Trump’s exploration of a federal takeover of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum reflects both political symbolism and ongoing disputes over the site’s finances and leadership. For families of the victims, the debate revives old tensions about how best to honour the nearly 3,000 people who died. Whether the proposal gains traction or stalls in legal and political wrangling, it underscores the enduring power of Ground Zero in America’s memory and politics.